Matthew F. Closter, PGA Pro, Named Director of Golf at Woodstock Country Club

Golf Advisor Names Woodstock #1 Course in New England Golf Course Will Open April 28 for the Season

WOODSTOCK, VT. April 20, 2017 – Gary S. Thulander, president and general manager of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, announced the appointment of Matthew F. Closter as director of golf at the Woodstock Country Club.

A Class A PGA Professional, Closter will have complete oversight of the golf operations at the Woodstock Country Club. This includes management of the 18-hole championship course, including instructional programs and tournaments, as well as revitalization of the retail and revenue centers. He will work closely with the Golf Course Superintendent to ensure pristine maintenance and responsible development of the historic course. He will also collaborate with the food and beverage team to maximize opportunities for corporate and social events.

“Matt Closter has an ideal mix of high-touch, private golf club customer service expertise and luxury resort knowledge that will bring new energy to the Woodstock golf experience,” said Thulander. “We are delighted to have a professional of his caliber at the helm of our golf operations, and confident he will help maintain Woodstock’s reputation while ushering in a new era of excellence for both guests and members.”

Closter served as assistant PGA professional at a number of leading golf clubs and resorts, most recently at The Weston Golf Club, Weston, MA; CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla, BWI, and the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, MA. Additional experience includes The Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, CT, The Lost Tree Club, North Palm Beach, FL, and The Jupiter Hills Club, Tequesta, FL.

The Woodstock Country Club was recently ranked the #1 golf course in New England by Golf Advisor, the leading source of golf course ratings and reviews “by golfers, for golfers.” Woodstock is named one of the top 100 best golf courses by Golf Magazine, among other accolades.

The Woodstock Country Club’s classic 18-hole golf course will open for the season on April 28, 2017. Home to the oldest golf course in Vermont, a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed course, the Woodstock Country Club is where PGA champion Keegan Bradley learned his skills and hosts his annual charity golf classic.

Among New England’s most picturesque golf courses, the Woodstock Country Club is surrounded by panoramic views of the Kedron Valley from nearly every green. The par 70 course presents a challenging sequence of fairways and sand traps and more than a dozen water hazards. Golfers can make use of the full-service Woodstock Country Club which includes a practice range, putting green, fully equipped Pro Shop, and golf carts. Golf pros are onsite to help guests perfect their stroke, and provide guidance on club choices.

Located in idyllic Woodstock, Vermont, The Woodstock Inn & Resort defines country sophistication in one of New England’s most charming and popular year-round vacation destinations. The 142-room, AAA Four Diamond Resort and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, offers award-winning dining in two restaurants, ranked among the finest in New England. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation, Inc. Proceeds from Resort operations support The Woodstock Foundation and Billings Farm & Museum education and conservation programs.

About Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Preferred Hotels & Resorts℠ is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 650 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. Through its five global collections, Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travelers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their life and style preferences for each occasion. Every property within the portfolio maintains the high quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. The iPrefer℠ guest loyalty program, Preferred Residences℠, Preferred Family℠, Preferred Pride℠, and Preferred Golf™ offer valuable benefits for travelers seeking a unique experience. For more information, visit PreferredHotels.com.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Guest Service: Empowering People

Excellent customer service is vitally important in all businesses but it is especially important for hotels where customer service is the lifeblood of the business. Outstanding customer service is essential in creating new customers, retaining existing customers, and cultivating referrals for future customers. Employees who meet and exceed guest expectations are critical to a hotel's success, and it begins with the hiring process. It is imperative for HR personnel to screen for and hire people who inherently possess customer-friendly traits - empathy, warmth and conscientiousness - which allow them to serve guests naturally and authentically. Trait-based hiring means considering more than just a candidate's technical skills and background; it means looking for and selecting employees who naturally desire to take care of people, who derive satisfaction and pleasure from fulfilling guests' needs, and who don't consider customer service to be a chore. Without the presence of these specific traits and attributes, it is difficult for an employee to provide genuine hospitality. Once that kind of employee has been hired, it is necessary to empower them. Some forward-thinking hotels empower their employees to proactively fix customer problems without having to wait for management approval. This employee empowerment—the permission to be creative, and even having the authority to spend money on a customer's behalf - is a resourceful way to resolve guest problems quickly and efficiently. When management places their faith in an employee's good judgment, it inspires a sense of trust and provides a sense of higher purpose beyond a simple paycheck. The April issue of the Hotel Business Review will document what some leading hotels are doing to cultivate and manage guest satisfaction in their operations.